Role of the hypothalamus in ghrelin effects on reproduction: sperm function and sexual behavior in male mice

PORETTI MB; BIANCONI S; LUQUE EM; MARTINI AC; VINCENTI LM; CANTARELLI V; TORRES PJ; PONZIO MF; SCHIOTH HB; CARLINI VP

REPRODUCTION

BIOSCIENTIFICA LTD

Lugar: Bristol; Año: 2022 vol. 165 p. 123 - 123

1470-1626

hrelin (GHRL) is an orexigenic peptide that has been investigated as one of the signals responsible for the reproductiveperformance of mammals under fluctuating metabolic conditions. Central GHRL administration impairs spermatogenesis inmice by regulating the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis function. In the present study, the hypothalamus role as amediator of GHRL effects on sperm fertilizing capacity and male sexual behavior was evaluated. After 42 days ofhypothalamic GHRL infusion or artificial cerebrospinal fluid, in vitro and in vivo sperm fertilizing capacity, testicularα-tubulin, speriolin gene expression and spermatic α-tubulin protein were evaluated. Hypothalamic expression of genesKiss1, Gpr54 and Gnrh was also studied. The second group of animals was infused with one time only GHRL or artificialcerebrospinal fluid into the hypothalamus to evaluate the effects on sexual behavior. Results demonstrated that chronicGHRL administration to male mice significantly inc